A complete list of all programs within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Community involvement and public participation are an essential part of EGLE’s mission, vision, and values.
Resources and information on utilizing RRD's data exchange and the Inventory of Facilities.
An interactive map displaying contaminated sites throughout Michigan regulated under Parts 213, 201, and 211.
This system allows water well drilling and pump installation contractors to submit water well records.
EGLE's interactive calendar is designed to provide timely information on decisions before the Director, proposed settlements of contested cases, administrative rules promulgation, public hearings, meetings and comment deadlines, and environmental conferences, workshops and training programs.
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides all persons (except persons incarcerated in correctional facilities) with access to public records of public bodies. Requests to inspect or receive public records from EGLE must be in writing and describe the requested records with enough detail to enable the department to identify and locate the requested records. Some records are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA or another statute and thus will not be provided. A fee may be charged to process your request. Please note that many records are available that do not require a formal FOIA request.
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Fluoride is one of the most plentiful elements on Earth, and occurs naturally in both ground water and surface waters in Michigan. When fluoride is present in drinking water at optimal levels, it has been shown to promote oral health by preventing tooth decay. Water systems are considered naturally fluoridated when the natural level of fluoride is greater than 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L). When a water system adjusts the level of fluoride to 0.7 mg/L or greater it is referred to as water fluoridation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 66% of the U.S. residents who receive their water from community water systems, or 170 million people, have access to fluoridated water.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set both the maximum contaminant level (MCL) and the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for fluoride to 4.0 mg/L. In addition, the secondary maximum contaminant level goal (SMCLG) of 2.0 mg/L has been set for fluoride to minimize potential dental fluorosis.
Fluoride is one of the world's most studied substances. Thousands of studies have been conducted over the past 60 years to establish and confirm fluoride's benefits.
Water fluoridation is recognized as a major public health achievement of the 20th century by the CDC.
Although, dental caries (tooth decay) is largely preventable, it remains the most common chronic disease of children aged 5 to 17 years. In the U.S., tooth decay effects:
Both children and adults benefit from water fluoridation. Studies have demonstrated that people in communities with fluoridated water have 20 to 40 percent less tooth decay than those in communities without fluoridated water.
Fluoride is inexpensive. It costs between $0.50 and $3.00 per capita per year to fluoridate a community's water supply. Every dollar spent on fluoridation saves $38 in dental restoration costs.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) both support water fluoridation and work together to promote it.
EGLE's Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division (DWEHD) provides technical and engineering expertise to water systems for permitting and operating fluoridation systems. DWEHD is the regulatory agency and is responsible for assuring that community water supplies (CWS) meet all applicable federal and state drinking water standards.
The MDHHS, Oral Health Program (OHP) provides health related expertise to communities interested in fluoridating their drinking water supplies. OHP is also responsible for implementing a grant program which distributes funds that eligible communities may use to purchase and install fluoridation feed equipment.
DWEHD is responsible for regulating the activities of fluoridating CWS's in Michigan. This responsibility includes assuring water fluoridation is conducted in a safe and effective manner. CWS's must obtain a permit from DWEHD to fluoridate their drinking water supplies and must monitor the fluoride levels in their water system on a regular basis. The operational and monitoring information is reported to DWEHD monthly.
